Additive dispensing system for a refrigerator

ABSTRACT

An additive dispensing system for a refrigerator that includes a reservoir configured to contain an additive and an additive outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir. The additive dispensing system is configured to be connected to a refrigerator and is operable to selectively dispense an amount of additive to water dispensed from the refrigerator. The additive dispensing system may be connected to a water filtration system of the refrigerator such that the additive dispensing system may dispense the amount of additive into filtered water dispensed from the refrigerator.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/159,423filed Jun. 22, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,127 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/852,708, filed May24, 2004, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an additive dispensingsystem. More particularly, the present invention relates to an additivedispensing system configured to be connected to a refrigerator, evenmore specifically connected to a water system of a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water treatment devices for home and other uses are well known in theart. Such devices are typically incorporated in a water system eitherin-line or at a terminal end. An example of the former would be anunder-the-counter device which filters water prior to reaching a faucetoutlet. There are two common types of terminal end devices—countertopand faucet mounted. Water treatment devices can treat water by the useof mechanical filtration or chemical treatment. Most water-filtrationsystems use a filter-cartridge containing either activated carbon or acombination of activated carbon and an ion-exchange resin. The activatedcarbon serves to filter out particulates and other impurities, whileeliminating most of the chlorine present in the water. The ion-exchangeresin removes positive ions such as calcium, thereby softening thewater. A negative side-effect of the above-mentioned systems is thatvarious other healthy minerals can be removed by the ion-exchange resin.An alternative method of water purification is reverse osmosis, butproducts using this technology are not widely utilized by householdconsumers due to their high costs.

In recent years, consumption of water by people has risen due to betterhealth education and other information available to the public. However,public perception of the poor quality and taste of regular tap water hasled to the development and sale of a number of products addressing theseproblems. Various bottled waters are available to consumers. Some ofthese bottled waters have additional additives which the consumer mayfind beneficial. Such additives include nutrients, vitamins, mineralsand flavorings. These bottled waters are sometimes called fitnesswaters, vitamin waters or enhanced waters. However, the cost andinconvenience of obtaining enhanced bottled water products on a regularbasis may discourage consumers from consuming additional water.Accordingly, a more convenient and cost effective approach for providingenhanced water to the public is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a cartridge for dispensing anadditive to water and, more particularly disposable cartridgeconnectable to a water filtration system for dispensing a consumableadditive, which enables a user to selectively dispense an amount of anadditive to filtered water.

One embodiment of the present invention is an additive dispensing systemfor a refrigerator including a reservoir configured to contain anadditive and an additive outlet in fluid communication with thereservoir. The additive dispensing system is configured for connectionsubstantially near a refrigerator. The additive dispensing system isoperable to selectively dispense an amount of additive.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an additive dispensingcartridge for a refrigerator including a housing, a bladder disposedwithin the housing, a pump connected to the housing and in fluidcommunication with the bladder, and an additive outlet in fluidcommunication with the pump. The bladder is configured to contain aconsumable additive. The cartridge is configured for connection to arefrigerator and to selectively dispense an amount of additive withfiltered water dispensed from the refrigerator.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a water filtrationsystem for a refrigerator. The water filtration system includes a waterinlet connectable to an unfiltered water source, a water filter in fluidcommunication with said water inlet, a first water outlet in fluidcommunication with the water filter operable to dispense filtered waterfrom the refrigerator, and an additive dispensing system. The additivedispensing system is operable to selectively dispense an amount ofadditive to water filtered by the water filter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed the same will bebetter understood from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary water filtrationsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary additivedispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary cartridgeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary housing for thecartridge according to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary cartridge according toFIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an cartridge according to FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is schematic illustration of exemplary actuation mechanisms forthe additive dispensing system according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is an exploded, perspective view of an exemplary additivedispensing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an exemplary additive dispensing systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle for theadditive dispensing system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary additive dispensingsystem for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature andnot intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims.Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the invention will bemore fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numerals indicate similar elements throughout theviews.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary water filtration system 15 according toone embodiment of the present invention. The water filtration system 15comprises a water inlet 20 connectable to an unfiltered water source 18.The water inlet 20 is in fluid communication with the water filter 22.The water filter 22 is operable to filter one or more contaminants orparticulates from the unfiltered water. An outlet 24 is in communicationwith the water filter 22 and is operable to dispense filtered water. Thewater filtration system 15 further comprises an additive dispensingsystem 16. The additive dispensing system 16 comprises a reservoir 26for containing an additive and an additive outlet 28. The additivedispensing system 16 is operable to selectively dispense an amount ofadditive to the filtered water. In one exemplary embodiment, filteredwater dispensed from the outlet 24 is dispensed into a glass or othercontainer 30 and an additive is dispensed into the filtered water in thecontainer 30 through the additive outlet 28.

The water inlet 20 is connectable to any unfiltered water source.Exemplary unfiltered water sources comprise garden hose, water line,water faucet mounts, water reservoirs, water pitchers and dispensers andthe like.

The water filter 22 may comprise any water filter technology known toone skilled in the art. Such water filter media may include, activatedcarbon or the like for removal of organics from the water; halogenatedresin fibers and/or halogenated resin beads or other media, fordestroying bacteria and viruses within the water; ion exchange resins(such as halogen based action exchange resin for the removal of sodium)for removal of ionic materials from the water; and removing bacteria bymicrofiltration. One exemplary water filter that may be employed in thepresent invention is disclosed by Hou et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,749.

In one embodiment, the additive in the reservoir 26 is in a liquid form.In another embodiment, the additive in the reservoir 26 is in the formof a dry powder. The additive comprises one or more additives selectedfrom the group consisting of flavorings, vitamins, minerals andnutrients. Additive minerals include minerals selected from the groupconsisting of ions calcium, silicate, chloride, magnesium, potassium,sodium, selenium, zinc, iron, manganese and mixtures thereof. Vitaminadditives comprise vitamins selected from the group consisting ofvitamin B12, vitamin C and mixtures thereof. In other embodiments,homeopathic remedies and herbal remedies, as well as flavorings, may beincluded as additive in the reservoir 22.

In one embodiment, the additive comprises hydroalcoholic extracts ofnatural oils. Other additives may comprise elixirs, spirits or essencesand tinctures. An elixir is a clear, sweetened hydroalcoholic liquidintended for oral use. The alcohol content ranges from about 5% to about50% by volume. Spirits or essences are alcoholic or hydroalcoholicsolutions prepared from vegetable or chemical substances. Theconcentration of the solute varies up to 50%. The hydroalcoholicextracts of natural oils range from about 0.025 to about 0.5% by volumeof the filtered water to deliver a hint of flavor to the filtered water.In another embodiment, the additives may comprise one or more coloringagents, such as food coloring, to add a color to the filter water.Exemplary flavors comprise lemon, lime, berry, citrus, orange,strawberry and mixtures of the same.

The reservoir 26 may be constructed from any material known to oneskilled in the art that would not contaminate or have its materialproperties effected by the additive. Exemplary materials of constructionfor the reservoir 26 include polymers, for example, polypropylene (PP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), lowdensity polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene,nylon, polyester, and the like. Other exemplary materials ofconstruction include aluminum foil. In one embodiment, the reservoir 26comprises multiple layers of the material. In another embodiment, anyflexible material with suitable barrier properties may be utilized.

While the schematic illustration in FIG. 1 depicts the outlet 24 andadditive outlet 28 separately dispensing water and additive,respectively, to the container 30, it is equally within the illustratedsystems and invention that the additive outlet 28 may be in fluidcommunication with the outlet 24. For example, the water filtrationsystem may further comprise an outlet mixer configured to combine theoutlet 24 and the additive outlet 28 into one outlet stream, prior todispensing the resulting mixture to the container 30.

In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2, the waterfiltration system 15 further comprises a controller 34 in communicationwith the additive outlet 28. The controller 34 is configured to regulatethe amount of additive dispensed through the additive outlet 28. Thecontroller 34 may comprise a limiting valve 36 (see FIG. 5). Thelimiting valve 36 is operable to limit or regulate the amount ofadditive, if any, that is dispersed through the additive outlet 28. Inanother embodiment, the controller 34 may comprise a microprocessor incommunication with a limiting valve 36. In one exemplary embodiment, thecontroller 34 may comprise a dial or other input device to allow theuser to select the amount of additive to be dispensed into the filteredwater.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the waterfiltration system 15 comprises a water inlet 20 in communication withthe unfiltered water source 18, such as a faucet. A water filter 22 isin communication with the water inlet 20 and filtered water from thewater filter 22 is dispensed at the outlet 24. The additive dispensingsystem 16 comprises a reservoir 26 for containing an additive and anadditive outlet 28. In this embodiment, the additive outlet 28 is influid communication with the outlet 24. In one exemplary embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 10, the additive outlet 28 and the outlet 24 connecttogether inside a housing 40 of the water filtration system 15 at anoutlet mixer 42, such that the exterior of the water filtration system15 only has one outlet stream.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the additive outlet 28 andoutlet 24 are configured and placed in communication in such a way as tocreate a venturi suction effect when filtered water in the outlet 24moves past the additive outlet 28. This venturi suction effect generatesa vacuum that pulls the additive in the additive outlet 28 into thefiltered water flowing through the outlet 24.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrated inFIG. 4, the additive dispensing system 16 further comprises a pump 32.The pump 32 is in communication with the reservoir 26 and the additiveoutlet 28. The pump 32 is configured to transport additive from thereservoir 26 to the additive outlet 28 to be added to filtered water. Inone embodiment, the pump 32 comprises a diaphragm pump. As one skilledin the art will appreciate any pump known to one skilled in the art maybe utilized to transfer the additive to the additive outlet 28.Exemplary pumps include piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, andbellows-type pumps. In another exemplary embodiment, the additivedispensing system further comprises a manual activator, for example apush bar 48, in communication with the pump 32. The push bar 48 isconfigured to activate the pump 32 when pressure is applied to the pushbar 48. The push bar 48, allows a user to manually selectively dispensean amount of additive to the filtered water.

In one exemplary embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5, the waterfiltration system 15 comprises a water inlet 20 in communication with anunfiltered water source 18, such as a water faucet. The water inlet 20is in communication with the water filter 22. A mineral content analyzer38 is in fluid communication with the outlet of the water filter 22. Themineral content analyzer 38 is operable to measure the concentration ofone or more minerals in the filtered water. The water filtration system15 further comprises a controller 34 in communication with the mineralcontent analyzer 38. A reservoir 26 containing one or more additives isin communication with an additive outlet 28 and a limiting valve 36. Thelimiting valve 36 is in communication with a controller 34, such thatthe controller 34 is operable to dispense one or more additives (such asminerals) to yield a predetermined concentration of additives in thefiltered water. For example, the mineral content analyzer 38, detects alevel of calcium in the filtered water and reports the calcium level tothe controller 34. The controller 34 determines that additional calciumis desired in the final treated water product, and as such, sends asignal to the limiting valve 36 to add and/or increase the amount ofadditive (i.e. calcium) being dispensed through the additive outlet 28to the filtered water. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, anycontroller known to one skilled in the art may be utilized to controlthe amount of additive dispensed into the filtered water.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, the water filtration system 15 comprises awater inlet 20 connectable to an unfiltered water source 18. The waterinlet 20 is in fluid communication with the water filter 22, such thatunfiltered water from the unfiltered water source 18 flows through thewater inlet 20 and through the water filter 22 toward the outlet 24.After the water has been filtered by the water filter 22, the waterpasses over a mineral content analyzer 38 and/or a flow meter 40. Themineral content analyzer 38 is operable to measure the concentration ofone or more minerals in the filtered water. The flow meter 40 isoperable to measure the flow rate of water exiting the water filter 22.The flow meter 40 is configured to send a signal to the controller 34,wherein the signal corresponds to a flow rate of water exiting the waterfilter 22. The controller 34 receives the mineral content signal for themineral content analyzer 38 and a flow rate signal from the flow meter40. The controller 34 then sends a signal to the pump 32 and/or thelimiting valve 36 which are in communication with the reservoir 26. Thesignal from the controller 34 activates the pump 32 and/or limitingvalve 36 to allow an amount of additive from the reservoir 26 to bedispensed through the additive outlet 28 to the filtered water. Theamount of additive is a function of the signals received from themineral content analyzer 38 and/or the flow meter 40. In an alternativeembodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, an outlet mixer 42 is configured toplace the additive outlet 28 in fluid communication with the outlet 24.In an alternative embodiment, the additive outlet 28 could be separatefrom the outlet 24 and not in fluid communication with each other. Asone skilled in the art will appreciate, any sensor known to one skilledin the art may be utilized for detecting various components of thefiltered water. An exemplary sensors includes a TDS (total dissolvedsolids) sensor from HM Digital of Los Angeles, Calif.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG.7, the water filtration system 15 comprises a water inlet 20 connectableto an unfiltered water source 18, such as a faucet. The water inlet 20is in fluid communication with the water filter 22. The water filter 22is operable to filter the unfiltered water from the unfiltered watersource 18 for one or more contaminants or pollutants. The filtered waterfrom the water filter 22 is dispensed to the outlet 24. In thisembodiment, the additive dispensing system 16 comprises a plurality ofreservoirs 26. Each reservoir 26 comprises one or more additives to beselectively dispensed to the filtered water. A controller 34 isconfigured to allow a user to select which, if any, of the reservoirs 26should dispense the additives to the filtered water. In one embodiment,the controller 34 sends a signal to the limiting valve 36 to regulatethe flow of the additive through the additive outlet 28 to the filteredwater. As discussed above, in one embodiment, the additive outlet 28 andthe outlet 24 may be in fluid communication with each other or be joinedwith an outlet mixer 42. In an alternative embodiment, the reservoir 26may comprise a plurality of chambers, wherein each chamber contains anadditive to be dispensed to the filtered water.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. Inthis embodiment, the additive dispensing system 16 is configured to beadded to a prior existing water filter of the user. This embodimentallows a user who already has purchased a water filtration system to addthe novel additive dispensing system of the present invention. In thisembodiment, a housing 44 is connected to the reservoir 26 and theadditive outlet 28. The housing 44 is configured to attach to or slideover the user's existing water filter to allow the additive outlet 28 tobe in proximity to the outlet of the existing water filter. In oneembodiment, the additive outlet 28 comprises flexible tubing to beplaced near the outlet of the existing water filter. In anotherembodiment, the housing 44 may be configured to replace a portion of theprior existing water filter. For example, the housing 44 may beconfigured to screw on and replace a component of the existing waterfilter housing.

In one embodiment, the reservoir 26 is releasably connected to the waterfiltration system 15. This allows the reservoir 26 to easily be changedwhen the reservoir 26 is empty or the user desires a different additivecontained in a separate reservoir 26 to be added to the filtereddrinking water. In one embodiment, the additive dispensing system isoperable to selectively dispense from about 0.01 ml of additive to about1.0 ml of additive per 250 ml of water filtered by the filter. In afurther embodiment, the additive dispensing system is operable toselectively dispense from about 0.1 ml of additive to about 0.5 ml ofadditive per 250 ml of water filtered by the filter. In anotherembodiment, the additive dispensing system is operable to selectivelydispense from about 0.025 to about 0.25% additive by volume of waterfiltered by the filter. In a further embodiment, the additive dispensingsystem is operable to selectively dispense from about 0.05 to about 0.1%additive by volume of water filtered by the filter.

In yet another embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 9, the additivedispensing system 16 further comprises an additive life indicator 50operable to indicate the remaining amount of additive in the reservoir26. For example, the reservoir 26 may comprise a visible level gauge 50to allow the user to determine the amount of additive remaining in thereservoir. In another embodiment, the additive dispensing system 16 mayfurther comprise a totalizer 52 which is operable to calculate theamount of additive dispensed from the additive dispensing system 16, andconfigurable to indicate the remaining amount of additive remaining inthe reservoir 26. In such an arrangement, a flow meter or totalizer iscoupled to the additive life indicator and sends a signal to theadditive life indicator to cause it to light up or flash after apredetermined volume of additive has flowed through the additive outlet.In an alternative embodiment, the life indicator may comprise amonitoring mechanism such as a microchip containing a programmableclock. The additive life indicator could be implemented as, for example,light emitting diodes or LCD (liquid crystal display) readouts, whereina clock is programmed to cause the additive life indicator to, forexample, light up or flash after a predetermined period of time haspassed since installing a new reservoir, for example, two months. A usercould then replace the reservoir with a new reservoir and reset theclock.

Other embodiments of the present invention are not limited to use withfaucets or the like. For example, elements of the present inventioncould be adapted for use with portable containers such as pitchers,water bottles or with other drinking water delivery system such as watercoolers. For example, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention,as illustrated in FIG. 10, comprises an attachment for a container 70such as a pitcher or water bottle could be designed to include a filter22 and a replaceable reservoir 26 containing additives. The additiveoutlet 28 could be placed near the outlet 24 of the container 70 toallow additives to be dispensed to the filtered water. Similarly,elements of the present invention could be installed into a water cooleror refrigerator, and operated by corresponding buttons, switches, andthe like to selectively dispense an additive to filtered water.

Referring to FIGS. 11-16, yet another exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated. An additive dispensing system 100 ofthe present invention comprises a receptacle 101 and a cartridge 120configured to contain a consumable additive and to selectively dispensethe additive to a liquid (e.g., water). Additive dispensing system 100may include one or more cartridges 120 and/or receptacles 101 withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Receptacle101 may include a space 102 and guides 103 configured to receive andhold cartridge 120 in space 102 such that cartridge 120 may move withinreceptacle 101. For example, cartridge 120 may slide within guides 103along a longitudinal axis A1 of cartridge 120. Receptacle 101 may alsoinclude a pump activation device that is configured to operate the pumpwhen cartridge 120 is positioned within receptacle 101. As shown in FIG.11, the pump activation device is an annular protrusion 104 extendingfrom a surface 105 of receptacle 101 and surrounding an aperture 106that is disposed within surface 105. Other exemplary pump activationdevices may include toggle mechanisms, levers, linear cams, rotary cams,and like mechanisms as shown in FIG. 16. Such mechanisms may apply aforce to closed end 136 or to pump 150 and may be actuated manually orautomatically (e.g., motor actuated, solenoid actuated).

In the exemplary embodiment shown, additive dispensing system 100 alsooptionally includes a cover 107 that removably connects to receptacle101, enclosing cartridge 120 between receptacle 101 and cover 107. Cover107 may provide protection from dirt and other debris from interferingwith the movement of cartridge 120 within the receptacle. Cover 107 mayalso include a button 108 that movably connects to cover 107 and isconfigured to press against a closed end 136 (described later herein) ofcartridge 120 when cartridge 120 is positioned within receptacle 101.Receptacle 101, cover 107, and button 108 may comprise any size, shape,and configuration without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Exemplary materials of construction for receptacle101, cover 107, and button 108 may include metals, plastics, compositematerials, and combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment,polymers are used to construct the receptacle, cover, and button, forexample, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), highdensity polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene, nylon, polyester, elastomers, thermoplasticelastomers (TPE), silicone, neoprene, and any combinations thereof.

Receptacle 101 may be connected to, mounted to, or fabricated directlyinto a faucet mounted water filter system 110. As shown in FIG. 11,receptacle 101 is fabricated directly into a cap cover 111 of waterfilter system 110. Water filter system 110 may be any conventional waterfilter system as described herein and/or known to or yet-to-be developedby one of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary embodiments of the waterfilter systems that may be included in the present invention are the PURwater filter systems commercially available from the Procter & GambleCompany of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Such a cartridge may be a replaceable and/or disposable cartridge. Beingreplaceable/disposable allows a user to remove cartridge 120 when theadditive has been completely consumed, i.e., cartridge 120 is empty ofthe additive, and replace the depleted cartridge with a new, unusedcartridge (e.g., a cartridge filled with an additive). Alternatively,additive dispensing system 100 allows a user to simply and easilyreplace a cartridge 120 containing a specific additive (e.g., lemonflavor) and replace it with a different desired additive (e.g., cherryflavor).

In the exemplary embodiment, cartridge 120 includes a housing 130 havinga reservoir 139, a bladder 140 disposed within reservoir 139, and a pump150 connected to an open end 137 of housing 130 and in fluidcommunication with bladder 140. Housing 130 may include sidewalls 132,133, 134, and 135, a closed end 136 and an open end 137. In thisexemplary embodiment, sidewalls 134 and 135 are substantially curvedsuch that housing 130 has a curved cross section as shown in FIG. 13.The curved shape of housing 130 is configured to permit cartridge 120 tofunction within multiple devices (e.g., water faucet mounted filtersystems, pitcher mounted systems, portable additive dispensing systems,refrigerator, etc.). In addition, although the shape of housing 130 maybe designed to permit it to function in multiple devices, it also may beconfigured to provide an ample reservoir volume for containing areasonable amount of an additive. Thus, the exemplary embodiment ofcurved-shaped housing 130 provides a balance between the two. Inaddition, the cartridge has a width that permits two cartridges to fitinto a water pitcher receptacle. An exemplary width of cartridge 120 isfrom about 0.5 inches to about 3.0 inches, another exemplary width ofcartridge 120 ranges from about 1.0 inch to about 2.0 inches,particularly about 1.5 inches. Cartridge 120 may comprise a length fromabout 0.5 inches to about 4.0 inches, more particularly from about 2.0inches to about 3.0 inches.

Housing 130 is curved to substantially wrap around a pressure vessel(e.g., faucet mounted filtration system 110). For example, sidewall 134is curved to substantially conform or match the curvature of the outerhousing (e.g., rear surface 109) of faucet filtration system 110.Sidewall 135 may also be curved to fit within curved cover 107 and/or tominimize the aesthetic effects of corners on the faucet mounted filter.Sidewall 135 is curved to substantially conform or match the curvatureof cover 107 of water filtration system 110. In addition, sidewall's 134substantially conformance to the curvature of rear surface 109 permits atighter fit (i.e., a close tolerance fit) between receptacle 101 andcartridge 120. This allows cartridge 120 to move smoother and moreefficiently within receptacle 101. FIG. 13 illustrates that thecurved-shaped housing 130 includes two convex-shaped sidewalls 134 and135 that are curved in the same general direction, i.e., the convexcurvatures of both sidewalls 134 and 135 face the same direction asshown in FIG. 13. In one exemplary embodiment, curved sidewalls 134 and135 are substantially parallel to one another. FIG. 13 also shows thatthe cross section of housing 130 includes an inner radius R_(i) and anouter radius R_(o). Inner radius may range from about 2.0 inches toabout 10.0 inches and outer radius R_(o) may range from about 0.5 inchesto about 5.0 inches in one exemplary embodiment. In still anotherexemplary embodiment, inner radius may range from about 4.0 inches toabout 6.0 inches and outer radius R_(o) may range from about 1.5 inchesto about 2.5 inches. It is understood that housing 130 may comprise avariety of known shapes, configurations, and sizes without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Housing 130 may be fabricated from any conventional materials as knownto one of ordinary skill in the art. Such material may be substantiallyrigid material, semi-rigid material, flexible material, or anycombination thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, housing 130 isfabricated from a substantially rigid material. Exemplary materials forhousing 130 include, but not be limited to polymeric material, such aspolypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high densitypolyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polystyrene, nylon, polyester, and the like. In one exemplaryembodiment, housing 130 is fabricated from high density polyethylene(HDPE) manufactured from DOW Plastics, with a grade of 12450N. Inanother exemplary embodiment, housing 130 may include a substantiallyrigid frame-work (i.e., without side walls 132, 133, 134, and 135) tominimize material costs and weight.

Referring back to FIG. 12, sidewalls 132, 133, 134, and 135 and closedend 136 of housing 130 define reservoir 139 within housing 130. Bladder140 is inserted into reservoir 139. Bladder 140 may be any type ofconventional bladder or line configured to contain an additive inliquid, gel, or powder form as known to one of ordinary skill in theart. In the exemplary embodiment, bladder 140 is a flexible, gussetedbag or pouch that includes a vapor barrier (not shown). Such a flexiblebladder permits cartridge 120 to be positioned in any orientation (e.g.,horizontal or vertical) and still permit substantially all of a liquidadditive contained within bladder 140 to be dispensed from it withoutrequiring a venting or pressure relief device to assist in dispensingthe additive completely from bladder 140. As shown in FIG. 11, cartridge120 is connected to water treatment system 110 and held in a verticalorientation. Bladder 140 may comprise single or multiple-layeredmaterials and/or laminates, including but not limited to foil laminatesor metalized film bags, as known to one ordinary skill in the art. Suchmaterials may include a vapor barrier or vapor barrier properties. Theselaminates or film bags may also include a polyethylene laminate on itssealing surfaces. One exemplary foil laminate is commercially availablefrom Sonoco, Inc.

In the exemplary embodiment, pump 150 is configured to be a disposablealong with cartridge 120. There are several benefits of configuringcartridge 120 to include a disposable pump versus designing the pump tobe a permanent fixture of additive dispensing system 100 (e.g.,connected to receptacle 101), and thus not disposable. First, adisposable pump (e.g., pump 150) eliminates the issue of bacteria growthwithin the pump due to additive accumulation (e.g., residue) within thepump after being dispensed by the pump.

Second, a disposable pump (e.g., pump 150) reduces pump reliabilityissues. If the pump was a permanent fixture of additive dispensingsystem 100, it would wear and breakdown over time due to repeatedoperations. Or, the pump would need to be fabricated to account for suchrepeated operation, which would increase its cost and weight. However,since pump 150 is replaced with the depletion of the additive withinbladder 140, it may be configured to handle the number of pumpoperations required to deplete the amount of additive contained withinbladder 140, making it a much cheaper pump. It also provides for animproved reliability for additive dispensing system 100. Third, if thepump is not replaced with the cartridge, then the additive accumulationof one type of additive (e.g., lemon flavor residue) within the pump maycross-contaminate a new additive (e.g., cherry flavor), thus providing aconsumer a dissatisfying taste and experience. By making pump 150disposable with cartridge 120, the cross-contamination of flavors withinthe pump is substantially eliminated. It is understood that cartridge120 may be configured to be a reusable and/or refillable cartridgewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.However, since pump 150 will essentially be disposed of or replaced withevery disposal or replacement of the consumable additive, it may bedesirable to configure an inexpensive pump (e.g., pump 150) toselectively dispense the additive from bladder 140.

The exemplary pump 150 shown in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15 includes a pumpbody 151 having a pump opening 152 disposed therethrough, an inlet checkvalve 153 positioned in pump opening 152 in a normally closed position,a diaphragm 154 disposed within a cavity 155 over inlet check valve 153,and an outlet check valve 158 disposed along diaphragm 154. As shown inFIG. 12, pump 150 is axially aligned with housing 130, which alsoaxially aligns pump 150 with bladder 140. Axially aligned, as usedherein, means that pump opening 152 is coaxially positioned along thehousing's longitudinal axis A1. This axial alignment of pump 150 withhousing 130 provides for improved pumping and dispensing of the additivefrom bladder 140. It permits a smaller pump to be used in cartridge 120because the axial alignment reduces the required pumping forces. In theexemplary embodiment shown, bladder 140, pump body 151, inlet checkvalve 153, diaphragm 154, and outlet check valve 158 include a fluidflow path that runs along longitudinal axis A1 of housing 130.

Pump body 151 may be fabricated from a variety of conventional plasticssuch as high density polyethylene (HDPE). An exemplary HDPE iscommercially available from Dow Plastic, grade 12450N. In this exemplaryembodiment, inlet check valve 153 positioned in pump opening 152functions as both a self-sealing seal (e.g., septum) for bladder 140 anda one-way check valve. This multi-functionality reduces the number ofrequired components and thus the expense to fabricate cartridge 120.When diaphragm 154 is positioned over inlet check valve 153, it definesa dose chamber 156. Diaphragm 154 includes a planar surface 157 and anoutlet check valve 158 that is integrated into diaphragm 154 such thatit extends outwardly from planar surface 157 and is in fluidcommunication with chamber 156. Chamber 156 is also in fluidcommunication with inlet valve 153. Having diaphragm 154 and outletcheck valve 158 integrated into one component reduces the expense offabrication and the complexity of pump 150. Although inlet check valve153 is described with multiple functionality (e.g., valve and seal) anddiaphragm 154 is described as having outlet check valve 158 integratedtherein, it is understood that a pump having a discrete seal, inletcheck valve, diaphragm, and outlet check valve is within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

Outlet check valve 158 includes a pair of sealing surfaces 159 that arepositioned on a distal end 160 of outlet check valve 158. Outlet checkvalve 158 is extended and configured such that once the additive beingdispensed from cartridge 120 passes sealing surfaces 159, the additivehas completely left the cartridge and will have no other contact witheither cartridge 120 or receptacle 101. In other words, neithercartridge 120 nor receptacle 101 have dead space in its flow pathdownstream of sealing surfaces 159. Since both cartridge 120 andreceptacle 101 have been configured to not include dead space downstreamof sealing surfaces 159, neither provide any space for the dispensedadditive to accumulate. Such accumulation of additive can causeresistance to the movement of the cartridge within the receptacle,bacteria growth, or cross-flavor contamination. Additive accumulationoutside of the check valve, where it is partially exposed to air, canevaporate leaving a residue that can inhibit the operation of the pump.Similar to inlet check valve 153, outlet check valve 158 is configuredto be normally closed position and is in fluid communication with dosechamber 156. In one exemplary embodiment, inlet check valve 153 is anumbrella valve and outlet check valve 158 is a duckbill valve. Inletcheck valve 153, diaphragm 154, and outlet check valve 158 are made froma flexible material, particularly flexible material having memory.Exemplary materials of construction for inlet check valve 153, diaphragm154, and outlet check valve 158 include, but are not limited toelastomers such as silicone, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), buna,neoprene, EPDM. One exemplary TPE used to fabricate inlet check valve153, diaphragm 154, and outlet check valve 158 is commercially availablefrom West Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Bladder 140 is sealed to a seal flange 166 of pump body 151 such thatbladder 140 is in fluid communication with pump opening 152 and thusinlet check valve 153. Sealing bladder 140 to seal flange 166 of pumpbody 151 enables the elimination of a front sidewall (e.g., to coveropen end 137) on housing 130, reducing weight and fabricating costs.Bladder 140 and pump body 151 are inserted into open end 137 of housing130. Pump body 151 is connected to housing 130 with a heat seal. It isunderstood, that pump body 151 and housing 130 may be connected by anynumber of conventional technologies and methods as known to one ofordinary skill in the art, such as snap-fit connections, glue, etc.Cartridge 120 also includes a retainer 162 that connects (e.g., snapfit, heat seal, threaded engagement, etc.) into cavity 155 of pump body150 to hold diaphragm 154 within cavity 155 of the pump body. Retainer162 may also include a valve cap 164 that is connected to retainer 162using snap pegs 168 as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such acap protects outlet check valve 158 from being exposed to dirt, debris,and damage prior to use. Retainer 162 and cap 164 may be fabricated fromplastic materials such as polypropylene. One exemplary material used tofabricate retainer 162 and cap 164 may be a homopolymer 4039commercially available from BP Amoco Chemical Company. Cap 164 maysimply be snapped off by twisting cap 164 to snap pegs 168.

It is understood that inlet and outlet valves 153 and 158 may comprise avariety of conventional one-way or check valves, such as ball valves,spring-loaded valves, or the like. In addition, as one skilled in theart will appreciate, any pump known to one skilled in the art such aspositive displacement and centrifugal pumps may be utilized to dispensethe additive from the bladder 140 to water within a container. Suchexemplary embodiments include, but not limited to piston pumps,peristaltic pumps, bellows-type pumps, piezo-electric pumps, diaphragmpumps (e.g., as described above), rotary vane, etc. Alternatively,cartridge 120 may comprise, in place of pump 150, venture feed, gravityfeed, and/or pressurized systems to dispense the additive from bladder140 into the water.

To fill bladder 140 with an additive, as described herein, a hollowneedle (not shown) is inserted into and through inlet check valve 153,which is acting as a seal enclosure over pump opening 152 (i.e., sealingbladder 140) to pull a vacuum within bladder 140. Once the vacuum hasbeen established within bladder 140, the needle is removed. Due to itsshape, configuration, and material, inlet check valve 153 automaticallyreseals the hole the needle created within the inlet check valve, actingas a self-sealing septum as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Asecond needle of a syringe-type device (not shown herein) containing theadditive is inserted into and through inlet check valve, enabling theadditive to be dispensed into bladder 140. Again, due to the shape,configuration, and material of inlet check valve 153, the hole made bythe needle reseals itself automatically (e.g., self-sealing septum). Theneedles and syringe-type device are well understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art and will not be described herein.

In operation, cap 164 is twisted off of cartridge 120. Cartridge 120 isinserted into space 102 within guides 103 of receptacle 101 such thatplanar surface 157 of diaphragm 154 rests against annular protrusion104, and outlet check valve 158 is inserted through aperture 106 ofreceptacle 101. Once inserted, a user may have to prime pump 150 to fillchamber 156 with an amount of the additive from bladder 140. Forexample, the user may selectively apply a force to closed end 136 in thedirection of open end 137 (or pump 150) along longitudinal axis A1 ofcartridge 120. When the force is applied to housing 130, it pressesannular protrusion 104 against planar surface 157, which depressesdiaphragm 154 causing outlet check valve 158 to open and chamber 156 toreduce in volume. Chamber's 156 reducing volume forces any substance(e.g., air or an additive) contained within chamber 156 to be dispensedthrough outlet check valve 158. Once the applied force is released fromclosed end 136, diaphragm 154 returns back to its normal position due tomemory of diaphragm 154, expanding chamber 156 back to its normalvolume. Such expansion of chamber 156 causes a vacuum within chamber 156that bends an annular valve seal 169 of inlet check valve 153 away frompump body 151, opening inlet check valve 153. When inlet check valve 153is opened, the vacuum within chamber 156 will also pull additive throughpump opening 152 into chamber 156 from bladder 140.

Once diaphragm 154 and chamber 156 are back to its normal position, theinlet and outlet check valves are closed, preventing air from beingsucked back into bladder 140 and chamber 156. This process may berepeated several times to prime the pump and fill the chamber 156 withthe additive. The pump (and/or dose chamber) may be configured to hold adesired dose (i.e., a prequantified or measured amount of the additive)to be dispensed with one operation of the pump. Exemplary dose amountsof the additive to be dispensed with each pump operation includes fromabout 0.05 ml to about 1.0 ml. In another exemplary embodiment, the doseamount may include about 0.15 ml to about 0.25 ml. Once the chamber isfilled with the desired amount of additive (i.e., primed), the cartridgeis ready to dispense an amount of additive to water from chamber 156.When a dose of additive is desired, the user applies a force to closeend 137 such that protrusion 104 depresses diaphragm 154, causing outletcheck valve 158 to open and the amount of additive within chamber 156 todispense from the outlet check valve 158. As the additive is dispensedfrom outlet check valve 158, an equal amount of the additive will bepulled from bladder 140 through inlet check valve 153 to replenishchamber 156.

Cartridge 120 and/or receptacle 101 may include a measuring device (notshown) to track and/or estimate the amount of additive that has beendispensed from the cartridge and the remaining amount of additiveremaining in bladder 140. The measuring device may include but not belimited to a weight sensor to measure the amount of additive left withinbladder 140, a dose counter, an electrical or electrode sensor tomeasure the change in resistivity of the fluid in the bladder, a RFIDtag (Radio Frequency Identification), opacity sensor, or similar suchdevices as used in other industries where a remaining amount of aconsumable in a reservoir is tracked such as, for example, in the inkjetindustry. The measuring device need not be described herein as suchtechnology is known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Cartridge 120and/or receptacle 101 may also include the additive life indicator (notshown) as described above herein, which may be connected to themeasuring device to indicate the remaining amount of additive incartridge 120 measured by the measuring device. For example, cartridge120 may comprise a visible level gauge (not shown) to allow the user todetermine the amount of additive remaining in the reservoir. Inaddition, it is understood that cartridge 120 and/or receptacle 101 mayinclude a communication link such as a TAB circuit or radio frequencyconnection to communicate data and signals between the cartridge, waterfilter system, and/or a computer or controller.

Referring to FIG. 17, receptacle 101 may comprise an interface 170,which may interconnect with cartridge 120. Interface 170 may be adiscrete or integrated part of receptacle 101 to prevent dirt, debris,and other substances from entering into water filtration system 110 whencartridge 120 is not in receptacle 101. Interface 170 includes a body172 having an interface opening 174, a door 176 configured to open orclose opening 174, a spring 178 configured to bias cartridge 120 awayfrom interface body 172 when cartridge 120 is positioned withininterface 170, and a slot 179 disposed through body 172. Door 176 is ina normally closed position over opening 174. When cartridge 120 ispositioned in receptacle 101, door 176 still remains closed over opening174. However, when a user applies force to closed end 136, moving thecartridge toward the interface body 172, a door opening device 180(e.g., a cam) positioned on pump body 151 slides through slot 179 toengage door 176. Door opening device 180 moves door 176 away fromopening 174, and thus allowing outlet check valve 158 to move throughopening 174 and dispense the additive from bladder 140. Once the appliedforce is removed, spring 178 moves cartridge 120 back away frominterface body 172, thus disengaging door opening device 180 from door176 and closing opening 174. It is also understood that interface 170may be configured such that door 176 is in a normally closed positionuntil cartridge 120 is inserted into interface 170 and door openingdevice 180 moves door 176 away from opening 174. In this configuration,interface 170 does not include a spring to bias cartridge 120 away frominterface body 172. However, a spring may be used to bias door 176 toits normally closed position.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 18. In this embodiment, additive dispensing system 200 may includea receptacle 201 configured to receive cartridge 120 in a movingengagement. Receptacle 201 may include a door 210 connected toreceptacle 201 near an aperture 206 disposed within a surface 205 ofreceptacle 201. Door 210 is configured to open and close aperture 206,thus preventing or permitting outlet check valve 158 of cartridge 120 toenter into aperture 206 and through surface 205. A distal end 211 ofdoor 210 is fixedly attached to receptacle 201 such that door 210 iscantilevered from receptacle 201 over aperture 206. In addition, door210 is spring-biased in a closed position over aperture 206. In thisembodiment, door 210 is fabricated from a material having memory or aspring constant that provides this spring-biased. Alternatively,receptacle 201 may include a separate spring (not shown) that engagesdoor 210 to bias it in the closed position over aperture 206. Eithercartridge 120 or door 210 may have a cam (not shown) that engages door210, or vice versa. When a force is applied to cartridge 120 to operatepump 150, the cam moves door 210 away from aperture 206, allowing outletcheck valve 158 to dispense the additive through aperture 206 and into acontainer.

Additive dispensing system 100, including cartridge 120 and receptacle101, is not limited to use with faucets or the like. For example,elements of the present invention could be adapted for use with portablecontainers such as pitchers, water bottles or with other drinking waterdelivery system such as water coolers. For example, receptacle 101 maybe connected to or be integrated into a pitcher (not shown) or similardevice, which include a water filtration system (not shown), whereincartridge 120 may be configured to selectively dispense an additive intothe filtered water either held in the pitcher or in a container thefiltered water has been poured into from the pitcher.

Referring to FIG. 19, another exemplary embodiment of a receptacle 300is shown. Receptacle 300 includes a space 302 configured to receivecartridge 120 as described herein. Receptacle 300 may include guides(not shown) internal to space 302 that are configured to slidinglyengage cartridge 120 such that cartridge 120 may slide into space 302within receptacle 300. Receptacle 300 may include a pump activatingdevice (not shown) (e.g., an annular protrusion 104) and an opening (notshown) disposed within sidewall 306, which allows outlet check valve 158to protrude through when cartridge 120 is inserted within receptacle300. In this exemplary embodiment, receptacle 300 may be a hand helddevice, permitting receptacle 300 and cartridge 120 to be portable.Alternatively, receptacle 300 may be configured to be mounted to astationary fixture (e.g., a wall). In the exemplary embodiment shown,receptacle 300 includes finger grip points 304 disposed along oppositesides of receptacle 300 to provide improved handling of receptacle 300and thus improved dispensing of the additive from cartridge 120. Whencartridge 120 is positioned within receptacle 300, a user may holdreceptacle 300 between two fingers (and/or a thumb) and use a thirdfinger to apply a force to close end 136 of cartridge 120 to operatepump 150 to selectively dispense the additive from cartridge 120.

In another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG.20, the additive dispensing system 420 of the present invention ispositioned substantially adjacent or near a water dispensing system(e.g., a water filtration system 400) on a refrigerator (not shown) suchthat a user may easily and conveniently dispense an additive (e.g.,flavoring) and then dispense filtered water into a container (e.g., aglass) or vice versa. Water filtration system 400 may include a waterinlet 402, a water filter 404 in fluid communication with water inlet402, a water reservoir 406 in fluid communication with water filter 404,a first water valve 408 in fluid communication with water reservoir 406,and a water outlet 410 in fluid communication with first water valve408. Water reservoir 406 may be configured to store a quantity of water(e.g., cold filtered water). First water valve 408 may be operable todispense and control the flow of filtered water from water reservoir 406to and out of water outlet 410.

Water filtration system 400 may also include a second water valve 412that is connected to the water filtration system between and is placedin fluid communication with water filter 404 and water reservoir 406. Inaddition, water filtration system 400 may include an ice machine 414 influid communication with second water valve 412. First and second watervalves 408 and 412 may be connected to manual actuators configured toopen and close the water valve. Alternatively, first and second watervalves 408 and 412 may be placed in electrical communication with acontroller (not shown) and an actuator (not shown) configured to controlthe water valve's operation to initiate and terminate the dispensing ofwater out of water outlet 410. Such manual and electrical valve controlsare known to one skilled in the art and need not be described herein.

Additive dispensing system 420 may comprise additive dispensingcartridge 120 and receptacle 101 as described above herein and shown inFIGS. 11-19. In this exemplary embodiment, additive dispensing system420 is discrete from water filtration system 400 and/or therefrigerator. In other words, additive dispensing system 420 is notpermanently or fixedly integrated into or connected to water filtrationsystem 400 or the refrigerator. For example, receptacle 101 may betemporarily and/or removably connected onto or attached to therefrigerator (e.g., magnetized backing, pressure sensitive adhesion,screws, snap-fit connects, or other removable connections, etc.). Inthis embodiment, receptacle 101 is positioned or located such that whencartridge 120 is inserted into receptacle 101, additive dispensingsystem 410 (e.g., outlet check valve 158) is positioned substantiallynear water outlet 410 of water filtration system 400 as shown in FIG.20. Receptacle 101 may also be attached or connected to a fixturelocated substantially near the refrigerator (e.g., a wall, cabinet,etc.), instead of on the refrigerator, by any device or method as knownto one of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., screws, nails, glue, pressuresensitive adhesive, etc.). In this embodiment, receptacle 101 ispositioned such that when cartridge 120 is inserted into receptacle 101,additive dispensing system 410 is substantially near water outlet waterfiltration system 400 as shown in FIG. 20. It is understood that avariety of technologies and methods may be used to attach receptacle 101near water outlet 410 as known to one of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Alternatively, additive dispensing system 420 may be configured suchthat all or a portion of additive dispensing system 420 is integratedinto water filtration system 400 or the refrigerator. For example,receptacle 101 may be connected to or integrated into a dispensing cove(e.g., dispensing cove 630, FIG. 24) of the refrigerator such thatoutlet check valve 158 is positioned substantially adjacent to wateroutlet 410. In this embodiment, receptacle 101 may be permanentlyintegrated into the cove or removably connected to the cove such that itmay be removed for cleaning and/or repair and cartridge 120 is removablyinserted into receptacle 101 as described herein.

In this exemplary embodiment, additive dispensing system 420 may beactuated by a user applying a force with a finger on closed end 36toward pump 150 as shown in FIG. 20. Such applied force to closed end136 causes cartridge 120 to move within receptacle 101, forcingdiaphragm 154 against protrusion 104. When diaphragm presses againprotrusion 104, it collapses, causing pump 150 to operate dispensing anamount (e.g., dose) of additive from cartridge 120. The user maymanually control the dosing of the additive into the container, i.e.,manual proportioning. For example, the user manually actuates cartridge120 (i.e., pump 150) a certain number of times to dispense the requiredamount of additive necessary to form the proper ratio of additive towater (to be dispensed or already dispensed) within the container (i.e.,manual proportioning). It is understood that other methods or mechanismsmay be used to actuate cartridge 120, and ultimately, pump 150.Referring to FIG. 16, other exemplary mechanisms to actuate cartridge120 (i.e., to operate pump 150) include a toggle mechanism, levermechanism, linear cam, rotary cam, and like mechanisms. Such mechanismsmay be manually, motively (e.g., motor actuated), or electricallyactuated (e.g., fingers, cams, levers, motors, solenoids, etc.) toactuate cartridge 120 (e.g., engaging housing 130 or pump 150) withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Suchmechanisms are known to one of ordinary skill in the art and need not bedescribed herein.

In this exemplary embodiment, the user may actuate cartridge 120 toselectively dispense the amount of additive into the container, and thenplace the container under water outlet 410. Once the container is underwater outlet 410, the user may actuate water filtration system 400,using any conventional water dispensing actuators as known to one ofordinary skill in the art such as manual or electronic actuators, todispense the filtered water from reservoir 406 out of water outlet 410into the container, which may mix with the dispensed additive in thecontainer. Alternatively, the filtered water may be dispensed into thecontainer first, and then the container moved to outlet check valve 158to then selectively dispense an amount of additive into the water in thecontainer.

In another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG.21, a water filtration system 500 for a refrigerator comprises anadditive dispensing system 520 integrated into water filtration system500 such that additive dispensing system 520 is in fluid communicationwith water filtration system 500. Water filtration system 500 permits auser to easily and conveniently selectively dispense an additive (e.g.,flavoring) into filtered water as it is being dispensed from therefrigerator into a container (e.g., a glass). Water filtration system500 may also include a water inlet 502, a water filter 504 in fluidcommunication with water inlet 502, a water reservoir 506 in fluidcommunication with water filter 504, a first water valve 508 in fluidcommunication with water reservoir 506, and a water outlet 510 in fluidcommunication with first water valve 508. Water reservoir 506 may beconfigured to store a quantity of water (e.g., cold filtered water).First water valve 508 may be operable to dispense and control the flowof filtered water from water reservoir 506 to and out of water outlet510.

Water filtration system 500 may also include a second water valve 512that is connected to the water filtration system between and is placedin fluid communication with water filter 504 and water reservoir 506. Inaddition, water filtration system 500 may include an ice machine 514 influid communication with second water valve 512. First and second watervalves 508 and 512 may be connected to manual actuators configured toopen and close the water valve. Alternatively, first and second watervalves 508 and 512 may be placed in electrical communication with acontroller (not shown) and an actuator (not shown) configured to controlthe water valve's operation to initiate and terminate the dispensing ofwater out of water outlet 510. Such manual and electrical valve controlsare known to one skilled in the art and need not be described herein.

Additive dispensing system 520 may comprise additive dispensingcartridge 120 and receptacle 101 as described above herein and shown inFIGS. 11-19. As described above, additive dispensing system 520 isintegrated into water filtration system 500 and/or the refrigerator. Forexample, receptacle 101 may be connected to or integrated into adispensing cove (e.g., dispensing cove 630, FIG. 24) of the refrigeratorsuch that outlet check valve 158 of cartridge 120 may dispense theadditive into water outlet 510 of water filtration system 500 asillustrated in FIG. 21. Receptacle 101 may be permanently integratedinto the cove or removably connected to the cove (or the refrigerator)such that it may be removed for cleaning and/or repair. In addition,cartridge 120 is removably inserted into receptacle 101 as describedherein. In this embodiment, water outlet 510 may include a section thatis a partially open structure (e.g., trough-like) that channels thefiltered water under one or more additive cartridges 120. Cartridges 120are positioned such that they may dispense the additive directly intothe water outlet 510 (e.g., trough) as the filtered water flows throughwater outlet 510 and into the container as an additive/filtered watermix. Alternatively outlet check valve 158 may be removably connected towater outlet 510 (e.g., tubing, filter additive inlets that connect tooutlet check valve 158, etc.) to form a closed system (i.e., no opentrough).

In this exemplary embodiment, additive dispensing system 520 may beactuated by a user applying a force with a finger on closed end 36toward pump 150 as shown in FIG. 21. Such applied force to closed end136 causes cartridge 120 to move within receptacle 101, forcingdiaphragm 154 against protrusion 104. When diaphragm presses againprotrusion 104, it collapses, causing pump 150 to operate dispensing anamount (e.g., dose) of additive from cartridge 120. The user maymanually control the dosing of the additive into the container, i.e.,manual proportioning. For example, the user manually actuates cartridge120 (i.e., pump 150) a certain number of times to dispense the requiredamount of additive necessary to form the proper ratio of additive towater (to be dispensed or already dispensed) within the container (i.e.,manual proportioning). It is understood that other methods or mechanismsmay be used to actuate cartridge 120, and ultimately, pump 150.Referring back to FIG. 16, other exemplary mechanisms to actuatecartridge 120 (i.e., to operate pump 150) include a toggle mechanism,lever mechanism, linear cam, rotary cam, and like mechanisms. Suchmechanisms may be manually, motively, or electrically actuated (e.g.,fingers, cams, levers, motors, solenoids, etc.) without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. Such mechanisms are knownto one of ordinary skill in the art and need not be described herein.Cartridge 120 may be in electrical communication with a user interface,which signals a motor or solenoid to actuate cartridge 120 toselectively dispense the amount of additive into water outlet 510.

In this exemplary embodiment, when user places a container under wateroutlet 510 and actuates water filtration system 500 (by any conventionalmethods known to one of ordinary skill in the art) to dispense filteredwater, filtered water is dispensed from reservoir 506 into water outlet510. If the user desires an additive to be dispensed into the water,then the user actuates cartridge 120 (via manual or electrically) toselectively dispense the amount of additive into water outlet 510. Theadditive mixes with the filtered water in water outlet 510 and isdispensed into the container.

FIG. 22 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of water filtrationsystem 500, wherein first valve 508 is configured to meter the flow ofwater (e.g., volumetric flow). Such a metering valve permits for waterfiltration system 500 to automatically control the proportioning of thefiltered water to the dispensed additive (i.e., automaticproportioning). Automatic proportioning, as used herein, is theautomatic dispensing and/or control of both the water and the additiveto dispense the proper ratio of water to additive to ensure the properconcentration of additive for the amount of water. The metering firstvalve 508 may be in electrically communication with optional componentsto water filtration system 500, such as a controller (not shown),computer (not shown), and/or user selection interface (not shown),wherein a user may select a desired concentration level of additive anda desired amount of water to be dispensed from water filtration system500. First valve 508 measures, calculates, and/or estimates the flow ofwater passing from water filter 504 to water outlet 510 to determine theamount of dispensed filtered water. Based upon this measured amount ofdispensed filtered water and the selected additive concentration level,water filtration system 500 controls first valve 508 and automaticallyactuates cartridge 120 to dispense the proper amounts of filtered waterand additive to dispense the properly proportioned water/additivemixture into the container. It is understood that the user selectioninterface may be configured to permit that user to select the amount(e.g., volume) of filtered water desired to be dispensed, which waterfiltration system 500 and first valve 508 would use to automaticallyproportion the proper amounts of water and additive during dispensing ofthe water/additive into the container. If the user selects just plainfiltered water, water filtration system 500 operates first valve 508 todispense filtered water from reservoir 508 but does not actuatecartridge 120.

FIG. 23 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of water filtrationsystem 500. In this exemplary embodiment water filtration system mayinclude all the components described herein, particularly with referenceto FIG. 22. Water filtration system 500, in this embodiment, may includewater outlet 510 and a bypass water outlet 509. Cartridge 120 ispositioned such that outlet check valve 158 is in fluid communicationwith water outlet 510. As described above, water outlet 510 may beeither an open trough-like channel that directs the filtered water underthe cartridge such that cartridge 120 may dispense an amount of additiveinto water outlet 510 or water outlet 510 may be removable connected towater outlet 510 in a closed system (i.e., no open trough-like channel).In this embodiment, first valve 508 comprises a three-way metering valvehaving a valve inlet 512, a first valve outlet 514, and a second valveoutlet 516. Valve inlet 512 is in fluid communication with waterreservoir 506. First valve outlet 514 is in fluid communication withwater outlet 510 and second valve outlet 516 is in fluid communicationwith bypass water outlet 509.

First valve 508 is configured to measure and/or meter the flow (e.g.,volumetric flow) of filtered water dispensing from reservoir 506 intoone or both of water outlet 510 and bypass water outlet 509 throughfirst and second valve outlets 514 and 516. Such a metering valvepermits for water filtration system 500 to automatically control theratio of the filtered water to the dispensed additive (i.e., automaticproportioning) being dispensed from water outlet 510. Automaticproportioning, as used herein, is the automatic dispensing and/orcontrol of both the water and the additive to dispense the proper ratioof water to additive to ensure the proper concentration of additive forthe amount of water. The metering first valve 508 may be in electricallycommunication with optional components to water filtration system 500,such as a controller (not shown), computer (not shown), and/or userselection interface (not shown), wherein a user may select a desiredconcentration level of additive.

First valve 508 measures, calculates, and/or estimates the flow of waterpassing from water filter 504 through first valve 508 (e.g., throughfirst valve outlet 514 to water outlet 510) to determine the amount ofdispensed filtered water. Based upon this measured amount of dispensedfiltered water and the selected additive concentration level, waterfiltration system 500 controls first valve 508 and automaticallyactuates cartridge 120 to dispense the proper amounts of filtered waterand additive to dispense the properly proportioned water/additivemixture into the container. In this scenario, second valve outlet 516 isclosed, preventing the flow of water to bypass water outlet 509. It isunderstood that the user selection interface may be configured to permitthat user to select the amount (e.g., volume) of filtered water desiredto be dispensed, which water filtration system 500 and first valve 508would use to automatically proportion the proper amounts of water andadditive during dispensing of the water/additive into the container. Inthis exemplary embodiment, if the user selects just plain filtered water(i.e., no additive), water filtration system 500 activates first valve508 to close first valve outlet 514 and open second valve outlet 516 todispense filter water from reservoir 506 through bypass outlet 509,which has not been exposed to the additive.

In another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG.24, the additive dispensing system of the present invention isincorporated into a water filtration system on a refrigerator 600. Inone exemplary embodiment, the controller 634 is located on arefrigerator door 660 either on or adjacent to a dispensing cove 630positioned on refrigerator door 660. The controller 634 may have one ormore manual activators 648 to dispense an additive from the reservoir(not shown). The user may place a container in contact with the waterflow switch 662 located in cove 630 to activate the flow of filteredwater through the outlet 624 and into the container. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the controller 634 comprises one or more inputselectors 664 to allow the user to select an amount and/or the type ofadditive, if any, to be dispensed with the filtered water.Alternatively, the filtered water may be dispensed into the containerfirst, and then the container moved to the additive outlet (e.g., outletcheck valve 158) to then manually dispense an amount of additive intothe water in the container.

All documents cited in the detailed description of the invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; a citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. While particular embodiments ofthe present invention have been illustrated and described, it would beobvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes andmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claimsall such changes and modifications that are within the scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a dispensing cove; awater filtration system disposed within the refrigerator, the filtrationsystem comprising: a water inlet connectable to an unfiltered watersource, a water filter in fluid communication with the water inlet, anda first water outlet disposed in the dispensing cove, the first wateroutlet in fluid communication with the water filter operable to dispensefiltered water from the refrigerator at the dispensing cove; and anadditive dispensing system comprising: a receptacle connected to therefrigerator at the dispensing cove, the receptacle including a space,and a disposable cartridge removably received within the space, thecartridge including a reservoir, wherein the reservoir contains anadditive, and an outlet check valve in fluid communication with thereservoir, wherein the outlet check valve is disposed adjacent to thefirst water outlet, wherein after the disposable cartridge is positionedwithin the space of the receptacle, the disposable cartridge isselectively movable within the space of the receptacle along a directionparallel with a longitudinal axis of the disposable cartridge todispense an amount of additive from the reservoir through the outletcheck valve; wherein the additive and filtered water are dispensed fromthe dispensing cove.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprisinga door.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the dispensing cove isdisposed within the door.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein thereceptacle is positioned at the dispensing cove such that the outletcheck valve dispenses the additive from the disposable cartridge at thedispensing cove.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the outletcheck valve dispenses the additive from the disposable cartridge intothe filtered water within the water filtration system prior to thefiltered water exiting the first water outlet.
 6. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, wherein the first water outlet dispenses the filtered waterfrom the water filtration system at the cove in a first stream into acontainer, and wherein the outlet check valve dispenses the additivefrom the disposable cartridge at the cove in a second stream into thecontainer that is separate and distinct from the first stream.
 7. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein the additive dispensing systemcomprises a plurality of receptacles, each including a space, and aplurality of disposable cartridges, each movably received with one ofthe respective spaces.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein thedisposable cartridge slides within the space in order to dispense theamount of additive from the reservoir.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 1,wherein the additive dispensing system comprises a bladder containingthe additive that is disposed within the reservoir of the cartridge. 10.The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism that movesthe disposable cartridge in the space to actuate the dispensing of theadditive from the reservoir.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 10, whereinthe mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a togglemechanism, a lever mechanism, a linear cam, and a rotary cam.
 12. Therefrigerator of claim 11, wherein the mechanism is manually, motively,or electrically activated.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 1, furthercomprising an ice machine connected downstream from the filter.
 14. Therefrigerator of claim 1, wherein the water filtration system comprises acold water reservoir that stores filtered water and is disposed betweenthe filter and the first water outlet.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 14,wherein the water filtration system comprises a first valve disposedbetween the cold water reservoir and the first water outlet.
 16. Therefrigerator of claim 14, wherein the water filtration system comprisesa first valve disposed between the cold water reservoir and the firstwater outlet, and wherein the controller is operable to activate thefirst valve to control the amount of filtered water to be dispensed fromthe first water outlet.
 17. The refrigerator of claim 16, wherein thecontroller is operable to control the amount of additive dispensed fromthe outlet check valve based upon the amount of filtered water dispensedfrom the first water outlet.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 1, furthercomprising a controller operable to activate the additive dispensingcartridge to dispense an amount of additive.
 19. A refrigeratorcomprising: a door; a dispensing cove disposed within a front surface ofthe door; a water filtration system comprising: a water inlet, areplaceable water filter cartridge in fluid communication with the waterinlet, the water filter cartridge comprising activated carbon, a waterreservoir in fluid communication with the water filter cartridge, and afirst water outlet in fluid communication with the water filtercartridge and positioned within the dispensing cove such that the firstwater outlet dispenses filtered water from the refrigerator at thedispensing cove; and an additive dispensing system comprising: areceptacle connected to the refrigerator at the dispensing cove, thereceptacle including a space, and a disposable cartridge received withinthe space, the cartridge including a reservoir, wherein the reservoircontains an additive, and an outlet check valve in fluid communicationwith the reservoir, wherein once the disposable cartridge is positionedwithin the space of the receptacle, the disposable cartridge isselectively slidable within the space of the receptacle along adirection parallel with a longitudinal axis of the disposable cartridgeto dispense an amount of additive from the reservoir through the outletcheck valve; wherein the additive and filtered water are dispensed fromthe dispensing cove.
 20. A refrigerator comprising: a water inletconnectable to an unfiltered water source; a replaceable water filtercartridge in fluid communication with the water inlet, the filtercartridge comprising activated carbon; a first valve in fluidcommunication with the water filter; a second valve in fluidcommunication with the water filter; a filtered water outlet in fluidcommunication with the first valve; an ice maker in fluid communicationwith the second valve; a receptacle positioned adjacent to the filteredwater outlet; and an additive dispensing cartridge movably receivedwithin the receptacle, the additive dispensing cartridge comprising: ahousing, a reservoir formed by the housing, the reservoir configured tohold an additive, an inlet check valve in fluid communication with thereservoir, and an outlet check valve in fluid communication with theinlet check valve, wherein the additive dispensing cartridge moveswithin the receptacle to open the outlet check valve to dispense theadditive from the reservoir.
 21. The refrigerator of claim 20, whereinthe additive dispensing cartridge is slidably received with thereceptacle such that when the cartridge is actuated, the cartridgeslides within the receptacle along a direction parallel with alongitudinal axis of the cartridge in order to selectively dispense anamount of additive from the reservoir through the inlet check valve andout the outlet check valve.
 22. The refrigerator of claim 20, furthercomprising a body, a door hingedly connected to the body, and a covedisposed within the door, wherein the filtered water outlet and thereceptacle are positioned within the cove.